By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — Todd Winnie completed the 110-flight challenge of the annual Hero Climb on Sunday wearing his full firefighting gear, including the heavy oxygen tank.

But the Belvidere firefighter wasn’t done when he completed the climb, which is held annually to honor first responders who sacrificed their lives on Sept. 11, 2001.

Winnie revved himself up for one more trip up the stairs at full speed, collapsing to his knees once he reached the top steps at Guilford High School’s Swanson Stadium.

“It was just an extra one for the guys and girls that didn’t make it home,” Winnie said. “This is pretty special to me and everybody in the fire service. … It really hits home to us because we live it everyday.”

Winnie was part of a sold-out event for the annual Hero Climb, which honors first responders while raising money for The Greg Lindmark Foundation, a nonprofit that helps connect emergency workers with mental health services.

Participants included firefighters from Kirkland, Rockford, Belvidere and Maple Park — as well as people who were looking for a fitness challenge. Winnie, who trains at Maximum Performance, was both.

“If you look around, you see all these people. This is fantastic,” Winnie said. “It’s awesome what people come together for.”

Rockford firefighter Rory Blanchard carries an American flag inscribed with the names of fallen New York firefighters on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, during the annual Hero Climb to honor the men and women who responded to the 9/11 terrorist attacks. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)

The event is put on by Mid-West Family Broadcasting stations 95.3 The Bull, B103, 100 FM and 104.9 The X in partnership with Anderson Toyota and a host of other sponsors.

The 110-flight distance is roughly the equivalent of what first responders would have climbed after the attacks on the World Trade Center. There were 343 New York City firefighters who died responding to the terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers.

“It’s a big honor to step in their shoes for a day and push through what they did that day,” said Logan Breese, lieutenant training officer for the Kirkland Fire Department. “Completing it: You feel like a completely different person. You feel a little bit of sorrow, obviously, with it being a very tragic day. But at the end of the day you feel amazing for walking in that person’s shoes and completing the 110 flights of stairs.”

Wednesday marks 23 years since the attacks, which killed nearly 3,000 people and was the deadliest in U.S. history.

Kim Carlson, who was part of a team from The Fit gym in Rockford, said she found inspiration during the climb when she looked over and saw firefighters in their full gear.

“That energy just spoke to me and opened up my heart and compassion,” she said.

Rory Blanchard, a Rockford firefighter, did the majority of the climb while carrying a U.S. flag that was inscribed with the names of first responders who died on Sept. 11.

“It’s pretty special to have that honor to carry that flag for the majority of the climb,” he said.

Participants also wore lanyards with the photo and biography of the New York firefighters who died during their response 23 years ago.

“They went up that tower not knowing what was going to happen and they didn’t even think about it,” Blanchard said.  “They went and did their job and they paid the ultimate price that day. It’s pretty humbling to be able to remember them and do this for them and their families.”

More photos

Belvidere firefighter Todd Winnie dumps a bottle of water on his head Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, after completing the Hero Climb – plus an extra flight – at Guilford High School in Rockford. He’s congratulated by members of his gym, Maximum Performance Training. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
Adam Plaetzer of Rockford carries a firefighting hose on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, during Hero Climb at Guilford High School in Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
Whitney Martin, a board member of The Greg Lindmark Foundation, climbs the stairs at Guilford Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, during the annual Hero Climb. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
Kim Carlson of Rockford climbs the steps of Swanson Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, during the annual Hero Climb in Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
Steve Summers of 95.3 The Bull directs traffic for a group photo on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, during the annual Hero Climb in Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
Firefighters stand for the national anthem on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, before the start of the Hero Climb in Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
Participants begin the annual Hero Climb on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, at Swanson Stadium in Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
Rockford firefighter Rory Blanchard carries an American flag inscribed with the names of fallen New York firefighters on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, during the annual Hero Climb to honor the men and women who responded to the 9/11 terrorist attacks. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
Jared Schomburg, owner of The Fit, runs up the stairs of Swanson Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, during the Hero Climb in Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
Maple Park firefighters climb the steps of Swanson Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, during the Hero Climb in Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
Participants descend the stairs for some of their final laps on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, during the annual Hero Climb at Swanson Stadium in Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
Rockford firefighter Rory Blanchard carries an American flag inscribed with the names of fallen New York firefighters on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, during the annual Hero Climb to honor the men and women who responded to the 9/11 terrorist attacks. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
Members of The Fit pose for a photo Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, after the Hero Climb in Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
Kirkland firefighters Terrance Milburn, 17, left, and Lt. Logan Breese wait for their fellow firefighters to join them on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, during the Hero Climb in Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
Participants climb the steps of Swanson Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, for the annual Hero Climb in Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
Hero Climb 2024
Participants in the annual Hero Climb cheer before the start of the event on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, at Swanson Stadium in Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)

This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas

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